Two is a Pair

Klein Lake camping

2011-11-16T16:21:00.000-08:00

2011-11-02T20:09:00.001-07:00

love it

2011-11-02T19:41:00.000-07:00

Summer Live

2011-09-29T16:24:00.000-07:00

photos via

August Harvest

2011-08-28T16:39:00.000-07:00

Went to the garden today after ignoring it for such a long time. Cort had kept up watering somewhat regularly but it was amazing to see it after some really hot sunny days. My eight foot sunflowers formed a fortess protecting my veggies. Time to do some zucchini bakes and try my hand at pickling beans!

2011-08-25T20:03:00.001-07:00

LEARN from Rick Mereki on Vimeo.

Moustache

2011-08-25T16:53:00.000-07:00

Cort's big break. haha

episode four

Arbutus

2011-08-25T16:48:00.000-07:00

Had been meaning to post a few pics of the paintings I did for my folks...but felt like they should see the hard copy first...

Balcony garden bean teepee harvest

2011-08-08T17:28:00.000-07:00

Get outta town

2011-08-04T16:37:00.000-07:00

Whew, the summer has been busy with school and trying to stay on top of studying and work and all that jazz. We have hit midterms now, and although it has been going generally well, it has also been a little hectic and stressful.

Finally some nice summer weather has headed our direction. Off to the middle of nowhere-sunshine coast for some much needed city escape! Looking forward to being much more calm and centred upon my return. Also, Cort and I got a steal of a deal on a sleeping bag at Army and Navy, and I'm really excited to test 'er out.

Been craving s'mores for days now...

One Year

2011-07-01T15:56:00.000-07:00

Celebrating one fabulous year together!

Had a great meal at The Sandbar restaurant on Granville Island and lots of room to stretch out in our king size bed!

I love you so much Cort, and I can wait to see what year two brings!

xoxo

Back-to-school

2011-06-10T19:25:00.000-07:00

Yes, I went back to school this week! First week completed of my thirty month program to become an RMT.

Cultus Lake

2011-05-21T03:55:00.000-07:00

Yarrow Eco Village

chickens!!!

Balcony garden

2011-05-14T15:58:00.000-07:00

My backyard garden so far. Although my condo strata sent me a letter in the mail saying I would be fined if I don't take down my prayer flags. Don't they look nice though? Perhaps I will find a more discreet place.

Bean teepee sans beans.

chives
garlic chives
broccoli
rattlesnake beans
purple pole beans
peas
sweet peas
red ace beets
carrots
radicchio
mixed salad
arugula
parsley
black krim and kootenai tomatoes
lavender
leeks

Robin & Leigha

2011-05-14T15:52:00.000-07:00

Congratulations Robin and Leigha!!!

Cort and I played photographer for our friends' wedding in Stanley Park on Thursday!

bean teepee

2011-04-22T13:20:00.000-07:00

via

I really want to make a smaller version for my garden this weekend!!! Also excited to see if any of the seeds I planted 2 weeks ago have sprouted. I think I might be a little discouraged if none of them worked...

2011-04-18T19:29:00.001-07:00

You've been there all along. I'm in love now that I've found you.

Sun Run

2011-04-17T17:01:00.000-07:00

the sun...

the run.

49, 356 runners

The athletes: Molly's mom Irene and brother Adam.

I love pictures that totally capture the moment!

More Portland

2011-04-09T18:31:00.000-07:00

yummy lunch at Urban Farmer

Drinking my GIRL BEER

Playing Seinfeld trivia game which we did fairly well at. Then we got suckered in to playing pub trivia against other teams. Didn't do as well.

Got frustrated and had to move on to another bar for further drinking.

Seeing the dodos play at the doug fir

We did a lot of this!

il piatto where the chef did everything!

Came and took our order...then went back and cooked our meals!

central for drinks

We took a trip to....

2011-04-08T15:13:00.000-07:00

Portland!!!

Things we did in Portland:

drank lots of really really good coffee
realized terrariums are popular

vintage shopped

ate way too much food...sooo good.
saw some live music
got lost in a book store

got lots of rest

tried to stay out of the rain storms (Vancouver is MILD in comparison!)

drank beer (yes..me too)

went to Voodoo Doughnuts. waited in line. ran out of time. no doughnuts.

saved on tax!

got id'ed a lot.

Kim's birthday margarita

it got too heavy ha ha

to be continued...

Spring is here!

2011-03-28T18:23:00.000-07:00

On Sunday Cort, Roxo and I enjoyed the beautiful weather and went to our garden plot to do a little prep work so we can start planting soon!

We needed more furtile soil, so.....

we got up close and personal with a lot of sh*t.

Totally thought I had killed my rhubarb when I transplanted it back in October...But I was so happy to see it doing pretty well! It's what I'd wanted to grow the most.

I love how you can only see a wee little bit of the city from this eden!

This week

2011-03-24T02:38:00.000-07:00

A few topics from this week...

Beautiful Super Moon photo taken by our friend Jeff Pelletier. Saw this moon, but our photo cannot compare...thank you!

Cort and I fell in love with this show... It is also really appealing that we are visiting in a week and a half. And yes. We are staying here.

VIDF complete...now getting geared up for the 3rd edition of Here to Go March 31st and April 1st.

Check it for more details.

Photo by Aiden Ward. Edit by Deanna Peters.

More Photos

2011-03-20T23:13:00.000-07:00

yes, we still love love love our farmhouse table.

here's how we did it.

2011-03-20T12:45:00.000-07:00

I was sold at 1:40.

Sproutlings

2011-03-17T16:29:00.000-07:00

My Black Krim and Kootenai tomato seedlings in their greenhouse. Cort took these pics.

Kokoro at Vancouver art gallery's offsite space

2011-03-13T15:54:00.000-07:00

Photos by Chris Randle

The Workshop in the Sky

2011-02-26T16:18:00.000-08:00

I've been thinking about this project for quite some time now...and haven't stopped talking about it either...

OUR TABLE IS FINALLY FINISHED!

The project was inspired by this post, though changes were made along the way. Our table is a metal framed IKEA table with a glass top, but I grew to hate the glass part and love the look of old wooden farmhouse-style tables.

We chiseled and sanded down our three pine boards (2x12 I think)

Don't I look like a professional? Haha. Note the wood chisel next to my bare foot.

Like they suggested on the blog we followed, we also tried to make our own stain by letting steel wool soak in vinegar for a few days. At first it really seemed to be working. I loved the colour and was proud of the fact we were using something so cheap and better for the environment. However, when it came time to seal the table, the stain must not have soaked in very deep and the original pine colour came through making the table look golden-orange. Not the colour I'd had in mind. So, we ended up buying traditional stain. Although splotchy in places, I think it really adds to the character and am very happy with the result. After the stain we coated it with 3-4 coats of sealer.

Assembling the table back together seemed to go really smoothly, until we flipped the table over. It wasn't level! The wood must have pulled the metal frame and the table was wobbling pretty horribly.

So close and yet so far.

Cort ran out to Home Depot and bought a few levelling coasters which fixed the problem easily.

Sturdy table.

WE LOVE IT!

We love the results....better pictures to follow.

It's snowing today. Want to crawl back up in bed.

So glad I'm dancing tomorrow outside for 40min. Brrr.

But celebrating by going to Balkan Beat Box tomorrow night!

Here to Go 3

2011-02-26T15:29:00.000-08:00

A walk

2011-02-26T15:26:00.000-08:00

A few pics from our walk around trying to get some shadow photos for our next Here to Go show poster. I like these pics even though I was super grumpy this day. Hence no photos of me.

Happy Birthday Roxo!

2011-02-21T15:43:00.000-08:00

The butter pecan cake with ferrero rocher chocolates that Cort made!

Well, even though it took us a few weeks to gather the gang we had a great time celebrating Roxo's b-day last Monday. Went for a delicious meal at East is East, then back to the girls' for drinks and cake.

Valentine's Day

2011-02-14T15:42:00.000-08:00

Came home from a long day of dancing to the most amazing meal!! Oysters Rockefeller, Lobster with asparagus and potatos and vanilla panna cotta with berries for dessert!!

Ooooh!

I love Lobster.

I love Husband.

jalapeno poppers

2011-01-19T16:40:00.000-08:00

Cort made these appetizers for our feast of friends dinner at the McDermott's Sunday night.

He even tracked down this neat roasting pan.

Recipe to follow.

Living sky

2011-01-11T17:52:00.000-08:00

Ahhhh, I had forgotten how beautiful the prairie sky can be until we were visiting Cort's family (my family now too...) in Lethbridge, AB over the Christmas break. Stunning.

Happy 30th Cort!

2011-01-09T18:27:00.000-08:00

Murder Mystery

A Sunshine Coast Christmas

2010-12-26T13:09:00.000-08:00

For our first Christmas as a married couple we actually celebrated our first Christmas together! Although we've been a pair for 6 years, we always celebrated Christmases with our respective famlies. First we were off to the sunshine coast to visit with my parents. Our first day we had lovely weather, which we took advantage of by taking a hike around Francis Point Marine Park. Then the weather turned to heavy rains and crazy winds which kept us cozy inside.

Arbutus menziesii (Pacific Madrone)

Saanich legend says that during the great flood, the madrone served as an anchor on the top of a mountain, saving several tribes. Because of this, the arbutus is sacred, and is not burned.

There is a certain blue of the sky that is so damn blue, that only blood could be more red.

Three bald eagles. That must be good luck.

Yummy Christmas Eve breakfast before we headed off to Lethbridge to see Cort's family.

2010-12-24T15:10:00.000-08:00

So, Kid Koala wore his Koala suit....

Awesome show!

Here's lookin' at you kid

2010-12-20T19:43:00.000-08:00

Whew, made it. What a crazy past few weeks it has been. Wednesday and Thursday of this past week was spent putting on our very first solo dance production! We are thrilled with the result, the crowd and our performance. Lots of friends and family which made it all the more special. So nice to see my grandma who came all the way from Edmonton, as well as many others.

Cort and I have pretty much completed our Christmas shopping (and handmade many things too!) and now we're excited to relax and start our well deserved (i feel anyway...) holiday break.

Tonight Cort, Molly and I are checking out Kid Koala at the Biltmore.

2010-12-09T16:23:00.000-08:00

I've come down with a cold this week.

Nothing like pancakes for dinner to make me feel better!

Advent

2010-12-03T21:15:00.000-08:00

Today, I walked to class. The same walk I take everyday.

There is a man who sleeps on the sidewalk.

He is always there in the morning.

He always seems rather comfortable.

Lots of blankets, sleeping bag, toque, he gets all set up.

Most mornings there are a few coins in his ball cap. Sometimes a piece of fruit or a granola bar.

Today someone had propped up a cellophane wrapped chocolate advent calendar.

I wonder what he will think when he wakes up.

I wonder what he will find at the end of his advent.

Growing up, my mom would buy me one of these calendars each year. I was always so excited to get up and eat my crappy piece of chocolate. And I was always so tempted to eat the next day's piece, but I never did.

I had a lump in my throat as I walked past.

2010-12-03T20:52:00.000-08:00

I was never much of a bathtub-sort. More of a shower-type gal.

Let me tell you. I've been converted.

So maybe after dancing all week with Kokoro I took a lavender bubble bath with glass of wine in hand, a copy of Harry Potter (nope, never read them before) and a massive bowl of spaghetti.

Okay... i didn't just "maybe" do this.

Bonus: spaghetti splatters don't matter in the tub.

Ahhhh...

Street Art

2010-11-30T18:12:00.000-08:00

Cort and I recently watched Exit through the Gift Shop.

It made me want to write a message to the city on the city that I live in.

And then I thought that if I had something to say it would be along the lines of loving mother earth, about saving seeds, about living in the wake of peak oil, about how this culture is killing the planet. (Thank you Jensen.)

So how could I write a message in toxic spray paint?

Check out more

Book Binding

2010-11-23T20:07:00.000-08:00

Sunday afternoon Molly, Rox and I had a book binding workshop with Irene, Molly's mom. They turned out so well...thanks to the great instructor! I love the fact that they can be made using recycled paper. These were made from old health reports with a sturdy cover made from cardstock or old calendars. And with Christmas around the corner these fit into my attempt to handmake/buy-reused gifts this year.

Neighbourhood

2010-11-23T19:52:00.000-08:00

Sometimes viewing the city through different eyes helps me remember the things I love about Vancouver. The temperature has dropped and it is definitely a brisk walk to get places. The mountains have snowy tops, and a few inches of crispy snow can still be found snoozing atop park grasses. One thing I esecially love about city living is the ever changing landscape and daily interaction. The same walk I take almost everyday can become new with an awareness that often gets lost when the goal is to get from point A to point B. I love when the city surpries me. I love when I notice a paint colour, an interesting moulding or some small detail that catches my eye by its newness only to realize that the moulding has been there twenty or thirty years.

Anything can becaome a meditation through intent and awareness. I like that.

You and Us

2010-11-20T13:31:00.000-08:00

We are getting so excited for our show! We just got our posters, that Nate designed for us, back from the printers and we can't wait to put them up all over the city.

You and Us

Decemeber 15th and 16th 8pm

Scotiabank Dance Centre (Davie and Granville)

$20

Snowy Rooftops

2010-11-20T13:23:00.000-08:00

Last night it snowed!!! It has already started melting today, but I love the way white snow really lights up the city. (Truthfully it's probably the light pollution reflecting against the snow...but anyway) I love Gastown in the wintertime.

Last night at work we made a wee little snowperson with olive eyes, who smiled until we brought him inside and he melted away.

Nelson Trip Part 2

2010-11-15T16:21:00.000-08:00

(note: photos must be viewed listening to Fink's album "Distance and Time"...the soundtrack to this road trip ha ha)

Cort, Kim, Roxy and I had a fabulous, relaxing time visiting Cort's friend Nate (who was his best man at our wedding) and Jen in Nelson, BC.

A Common Ground Cafe where the food is grown on a commune just outside the city of Nelson.

The boys playing ping pong at Nate's office

I took a picture of the bulletin board in Nate's office. We thought The National poster he designed for them was pretty cool. Then we felt pretty cool to have such cool friends and be in such a cool place. Coolio.

Saw the band The Warped 45s at the local pub

The "hippy" school Jen taught at. On our way out of town we performed our dance "SOME ANTICS" for the kids. The school itself was too small to dance in, so we ended up performing outside. It was crisp and cool, but a beautiful day in a beautiful setting!

Kim treehugging in her new touque

Awesome eatery!!! Lavender lemon shortbread.

One of my favourite things we did was head up to some natural hotsprings near Nakusp which we had to hike in to get to. It was so dark so we relied on head lights and candles. It was incredible!!

Heading home, this photo was taken outside Osoyoos.

We will definitely have to go back!

diy

2010-11-14T14:42:00.000-08:00

We're in the process of redecorating our place. This ottoman has been driving me crazy for a while now...the red fabric was not in good shape and needed a lift. I thought about getting it reupholstered, but then figured I could try my hand at a diy project. I'm pretty happy with the result.

The Before

The After

Corner detail

Nelson Preview

2010-11-11T10:08:00.000-08:00

A beautiful rainbow around Chiliwack. We actually drove through the pot of gold. Wanna know what is really at the end of a rainbow? Rain. Lots of rain!

Roxy in the morning on Nate and Jen's back porch

"Sketch" Nate's van

Many more photos to come from our awesome adventure. Went to Ainsworth hot springs, did some Nelson shopping, saw some live music, did a lot of hanging out, had a great lunch here, and went on a natural hot spring adventure near Nakusp.

And away we go...

2010-11-07T01:36:00.000-07:00

Nelson

Recently I quit my job, started a new one, took a doula course, relearned 4 dances off a video (ugh) and (it feels) took care of a billion other things. I am so looking forward to 4 days off, to finally relax and to get out of the city. Growing up in a small town I definitely didn't realize its charms, nor did I realize this living in Edmonton, nor New West during University. Not even in PoMo...living on a mountain side seemed far away and distant from where I really wanted to be...Vancouver. (Also the 60 degree slope grew tiresome).

But now.....

I am very much looking forward to exploring hot springs, going for hikes, breathing fresh air (Not that Vancouver's air quality is necessarily bad.)

What I really think it boils down to is a) growing up and b) living right downtown in a major urban centre.

During my weekend doula course a few weeks ago, which was held in Coquitlam, I walked a little forest trail to get to the campus. ('Forest' as in some unmaintained trees growing longide a highway). Anway, the feeling felt so weird beneath my feet. I realized it is so rare that I actually feel real earth as I walk everyday, which is a lot considering the no-car factor combined with the living-right-downtown-a-major-urban-centre-factor. This thought reminds me of the play "The Ecstacy of Rita Joe" by George Ryga where the last line reads: "When Rita Joe first came to the city-she told me...The cement made her feet hurt."

Beautiful Play. Read it.

There are many things I love about living in Vancouver....

But I am terribly looking forward to our little getway to Nelson.

Happy Halloween

2010-10-31T11:05:00.000-07:00

Since Halloween falls on a Sunday this year, I don't think I'll be dressing up to sit around the house, though I was working until 4am last night and dressed as Alice, so, you could say I celebrated the first 4 hours very enthusiastically. Cort had to work this morning and dressed as a turn of the century newsie. He looked so cute kissing me goodbye, though I was still half asleep.
Gotta run to a garden meeting, then possible afternoon nap. I think we're pumpkin carving and scary movie watching tonight.

Need a last minute costume idea?

Go as yourself?

mural

2010-10-25T23:28:00.000-07:00

Cort and I have bee redecorating somewhat, organizing our living space and trying to create a more inviting atmosphere. I really love the idea of painting a mural. Not sure of what, or if it would end up looking really good, or more like an art project gone bad. But these are inspiring.

via sakurasnow

via lulu painting

wow, this is amazing

twenty six today

2010-10-21T11:45:00.000-07:00

Thank you friends for making it so special!

notanks!

2010-10-15T22:10:00.000-07:00

I'll be performing this Sunday with Kokoro at Second Beach.

Come see why.

You and Us Photoshoot

2010-10-15T16:54:00.000-07:00

Just got our photos back from our shoot of promo images for You and Us...a full evening of dance with The Story Dec. 15th & 16th.

Happy Thanksgiving

2010-10-12T14:19:00.000-07:00

This year we decided to cook a Thanksgiving meal using as much locally produced/organic food as possible. Cort, Rox, Kim and I hit up the West End Farmer's Market on Saturday morning for all our veggies and apples. Cort decided to cook an organic free run chicken instead of turkey this year. Our little 7lb bird set us back 20 bucks, but I guess sometimes we aren't used to to true cost of food.
(Read This.)
Molly's brother, Adam and her sis, Sarah joined us as well.

Kim making Pumpkin Pie

Cort carving his chicken

Amazing thanksgiving feast with friends

The pumpkin pie was sooooo delicious!!!

Sleepy end to a full belly!

SOME ANTICS PHOTOS

2010-10-10T15:10:00.000-07:00

Our longtime loveable friend Bobbi Jo moved back to Vancouver after a year + in London! She came to watch our performance of SOME ANTICS 2 weeks ago at the SFU open house. So wonderful to have her in the same city again!

She snapped the photos below.

Feels like October

2010-10-07T21:45:00.000-07:00

Last night I really wanted a snack, but due to lack of snacky foods (Cort and I have been trying really hard lately to eat organic and local and sustainable and mostly-vegetarian and healthy and all that jazz) I was somewhat forced to make a treat. It is true...if it's not in the house you won't be tempted to eat it...so anyway...

I tweaked my mom's blueberry muffin recipe with ingredients I had in the house.

Whole wheat flour for white, raw sugar for refined and I added a little ricotta cheese too.

yum.

While at a food market on Main today, this little guy caught my eye. These little pumpkins (gourds rather) are sooo cute. Growing up I would always beg my mom to buy a little one (especially those ones with the faces painted on...you know the ones?) Unfortunately there isn't much you can do with them aside from decorating (and admiring their cuteness!) combined with their high price point per weight... Mom never caved and large pumpkins were the only breed to grace the porch.

Ha! My rational: a small pumpkin for a small condo.

(Probably gonna carve a big guy too... much to Cort's objection.)

Weekend Massage Workshop

2010-10-06T11:09:00.001-07:00

Spent the past 3 days here.

Loved learning from the amazing instructors and getting lots of hands-on practice...and recieving too which was nice. Happy that the weekend confirmed my intentions of starting a career a an RMT.

2010-09-29T19:48:00.000-07:00

Super excited for this to arrive in the mail!

Check it.

SOME ANTICS

2010-09-24T14:39:00.000-07:00

The Story performs new work "SOME ANTICS" for the SFU Woodwards Open House.

Friday, September 24th 4:30-7:00PM

Saturday, September 25th 1:00-5:00PM

Studio D.

FREE.

plot #29

2010-09-22T23:23:00.000-07:00

Yes, officially we have a garden!!

Plot #29 at Cottonwood. Just a hop, skip and a jump away.

(Well more like a 30min walk or a quick trip on the #22)

To celebrate my day off and to get acquainted with our newly acquired piece of Vancouver loaned property, Roxy and I met at the garden to get to work, see what was left from the gardeners before us, clean up the plot a bit, and figure out where and what to plant for our winter garden.

Trying to pull out this somesorttree

Need a shovel.

Beets harvested from previous garden planters. They'll make for a mean borscht!

Our progress at the end of the day!

Replanted the rhubarb, hoping it will grow better at the back of the plot, then harvested what vegetables we could.
Pulled out a lot of weeds, a lot of gone-bad vegetables and a lot of I'm-not-sure-what-this-is.

2010-09-22T22:29:00.000-07:00

You are a child of the Universe, no less than the trees and the stars. You have a right to be here, and wheather or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. - Max Ehrmann

happy birthday blog

2010-09-21T01:51:00.000-07:00

Two is a Pair is One

I can't believe it's been a whole year. You know that feeling when something seems like it took a really long time and encompasses so much, and in the very same breath feels like it took no time at all.

There must be a name for this phenomenon.

It seems so long ago that we cooked this bird, or celebrated a quarter century. Moments of pride, of tireless excitement, of growing. Holding dear this moment, and this, and this one too. This mightta been the highlight, though we enjoyed this amazing time as well and we're looking forward to spending much more time here.

looking forward to what the upcoming year holds.

deluge

2010-09-19T23:41:00.000-07:00

Vancouver needed a bath i guess.

Cort met me after work and we walked home together. We got completely soaked!!

But I have such an amazing husband...who gave me his sweatshirt and walked home in his tshirt.

5ifty

2010-09-15T20:02:00.000-07:00

Saw this Monday night with molly and roxo.

It took art's bitter taste out of my mouth.

Very enjoyable.

Yeah, I just think I need a daily reminder that it IS amazing to be an artist.

woolies for rainy days

2010-09-13T01:00:00.000-07:00

Although I would happily welcome its return, it seems as though summer has given way to fall.

Rain.

Bought myself some rubber boots. $12.99. Made in Canada. Army & Navy.

I figure I will need to keep dry as I tend to my garden plot which I hope to get any day now...

Finished making my cowl project from last year, and made a new touque.

I feel like reading books and drinking tea, but my plan is to stay cozy when/if I do step out.

link love

2010-09-11T13:12:00.000-07:00

all i have to say is wow
can't put it down
if i lived closer, it would be dangerous
this would be cool

The Flight of the Hummingbird

2010-09-01T14:00:00.001-07:00

taking photos

2010-08-28T16:53:00.000-07:00

Cort and I had a lovely day spent photographing our good friends Leigha and Robin for some engagement photos before they take off and move to Costa Rica next week. Teardrop.

Beautiful day spent in the community gardens off 4th ave.

do pepper flowers mean peppers?

2010-08-25T13:17:00.000-07:00

it's now the end of summer and this is the most progress ive seen.

even without peppers....the flowers are still pretty!

Peach Blueberry Pie

2010-08-24T20:07:00.000-07:00

Things I learned while making my first pie:

1. You will need more flour than originally estimated.

2. You should take off wedding rings before starting.

3. You WILL make a mess.

4. You will get frustrated with the dough.

5. You will come to respect pie makers of the world.

Happy Birthday Molly!

2010-08-24T17:15:00.000-07:00

To celebrate Molly's Birthday we went for a lovely little picnic in the park near their place.

so many nice goodies!

new birthday hat. made in Montreal.

Birthday Pie! Aphrodite's my win for cutest shop in Vancouver.

I'm inspired. I want to make one!

Happy 25th Dermie!

Photos are in

2010-08-24T16:45:00.000-07:00

Check out the Photos tab to the right for wedding photos.

More to come.

2010-08-22T23:25:00.000-07:00

Last night, (around 2am) I decided it would be the perfect time to make an apple blueberry crisp

with the apples Cort brought back from the

Gerlock backyard apple tree.

Combined with blueberries from here.....it's SO good.

I know.

I've eaten my half of the large pan.

Don't judge.

got a hair cut.

very proud.

difficult growing year for me.

Leaving plants unwatered while Costa Ricaing for a week doesn't make herbs happy.

Red peppers are not making peppers.

3rd try at basil seems to be working.

Rosemary looks good. (though i hear it's the easiest thing to grow)

Lavender turned black. Still smells like lavender...

i used an organic soil this year....maybe they lacked nutrients.

What i really want is to garden here.

made some earrings with the feathers dana picked up

enjoying my first day off of 3

link love

2010-08-22T03:02:00.000-07:00

Thinking 'bout going tomorrow

Day Trip to Garden Bay

2010-08-22T02:37:00.000-07:00

Last Tuesday Cort and I took a day trip up to visit my parents while they were working on their new house.

While we had great intentions of helping with construction, we acted as more of a distraction, visiting, eating and taking a swim at the lake.

grabbing breakfast at Troll's at Horseshoe Bay before hitting the open water.

Hotel Lake, the closest lake to my folk's place.

Very peaceful this day, not many other people.

We found a little row boat which I thought would be fun to row to a little island

in the middle of the lake....

Dad convinced us to row to the other side (a shorter distance)

What i learned: Rowing is harder than paddling.

We got halfway across the lake, and then found ourselves spinning in circles.

Finally got to the other side...next obstacle: 3 people trying to get out of a row boat without a shore.

the water was SO nice! how very therapeutic!

Cortes

2010-08-14T11:00:00.000-07:00

See that island there in the middle of Hague Lake?

That's where I want to live.

I swam there twice. The picture doesn't justify how long that swim is. But it's lengthy.

love these

2010-07-28T22:15:00.000-07:00

I love these photos Cort took.

They were taken on playground equipment, but to me, they have a dark futuristic feel.

2010-07-28T22:02:00.000-07:00

My escapism of the day.

Went to the beach at 9am this morning for a swim in the ocean.

Forgot about the world for a moment.

Now I'm dreaming of living here.

A Day at Boundary Bay

2010-07-27T17:12:00.000-07:00

What could be better than picking some blueberries and taking in the day at Centennial Beach? Wish I had some photos of the tide as it was sooo far out (and still going out) to show all the huge sand dollars and this crazy purply-red crab the size of both my hands!

Ice cream twice in one day is also recipe for enjoyment.

Small shout out to my little gem bug Kim who was travelling from Vancouver to Paris to Tel Aviv to Jerusalem to Germany to London. (i think that's right) and will be returning home to us this Sunday! I love you and can't wait to see you and hear all about it!

would love to figure out a way to do this

2010-07-18T16:21:00.000-07:00

I would love to take this workshop

Honeymoon in Costa Rica

2010-07-12T21:21:00.000-07:00

our daily snack time!

My Husband!

our ocean view casa

this little guy had such a cool shell!

Cort collecting seashells

crab clawprints

We took a day trip up to Granada, Nicaragua.

Along the way we saw this lake made by the crater of a volcano.

coffee for breakfast

plantains for every meal

The Volcano Masaya

The volcano releases gasses which fall as acid rain.
The vegetation around the volcano is brown from the acid.

the smoke actually started to make it difficult to breathe

our little tour bus

stopped for lunch

Granada

Leda and the swan sculpture

we took a boat ride on Lake Nicaragua

made some friends

On one of our last days in Costa Rica we rented a car. First stop: the city of Liberia.

No pictures, just a big city.

Second stop: The town of Santa Cruz. Know as the folklore hub.

we took a drive through the country...

...found this beautiful statue in the middle of nowhere...

...and stopped in the tiny village of Guaitil where they make all the handmade clay pottery that is then sold in stores all over Costa Rica. Each family has a large kiln in their backyard where they make, and bake, and decorate all their clay handicrafts.

On our last day we went back to relax mode. Suntanning and reading by the pool. Cort joined a volleyball team, lots of eating and resting.

Bye Costa Rica!

June 30th 2010

2010-07-12T19:21:00.000-07:00

Yup. It's official!

This is the point in the day where I was so overwhelmed that I started to sign my name in 3 different spots.

Must've been okay...

We got our Marriage Certificate in the mail today!
more photos once we get them from our photographer.

Mare Party on Mayne Island Pt. 2

2010-07-12T19:15:00.000-07:00

the view from our hot tub!

all the mares

A glimpse of Mayne Island

2010-06-28T05:42:00.000-07:00

more to follow from my Mare Party...

2010-06-28T05:28:00.000-07:00

ok, you can grow anytime now

2010-06-22T23:08:00.000-07:00

2010-06-22T23:05:00.000-07:00

We're pretty excited about this

2010-06-19T20:34:00.000-07:00

Look at the Apple Pie I baked for Cort.

Ha ha.

Bought it at the Farmer's Market this morning. Same thing.

After a lovely breakfast with Dana & Molly at Joe's Grill, we stopped of at the Farmer's Market for sorrel, lavendar soap, apple pie, shiatsu massage, & flavored sea salt.

Then onto Wreck for a little dip in the ocean.

Nudie pics omitted.

Our Fabulous Wedding Shower!

2010-06-19T17:29:00.000-07:00

Kim made up a Cort & Ellen crossword puzzle.

Even I couldn't get a clue about us!

Gem Jam's Birthday

2010-06-13T09:37:00.000-07:00

celebrating with brunch at the wallflower on main

it's working

2010-06-12T11:55:00.000-07:00

My Lavender is Blooming!!

2010-06-05T15:24:00.000-07:00

Different Clubs I Want to Start/Join

Book then Movie Club

Picnic Club

Kayak Club

Different BC Island Camping Club

Gardening Club

Beach Day Club

Documentary Viewing Club

Day Trips from Vancouver Club
Daydream of all the Places I Want to Go Club
Finding Cute Yardsale Club

Want to Join?

Bowen Island

2010-06-05T15:21:00.000-07:00

wow

2010-05-29T14:32:00.000-07:00

UP THERE from The Ritual Project on Vimeo.

2010-05-29T14:25:00.000-07:00

There are days we live

as if death were nowhere

in the background; from joy

to joy to joy, from wing to wing,

from blossom to blossom to

impossible blossom, to sweet impossible blossom.

- Li-Young Lee

Seattle

2010-05-22T11:29:00.000-07:00

took the amtrack train down

played a little mastermind

figuring out where to go first

space needle

EMP music experience

museum of science fiction

greatest book store!

awesome library

a very happy and excited Cort

Toulouse

fried alligator

40,000 dog tags

Andy Warhol

completely carved from wood!

Robin+Ryan

2010-05-17T14:37:00.000-07:00

awesome cake topper Trina made!

ice cream shoppe was closed. unfortunate.

horse didn't wanna be my friend

Instead of tinkling glasses to have the couple smooch, you had to show the couple how you wanted them to kiss. Cort, Rich, Clay and Anya performed the "spiderman" upside down kiss Robin and Ryan had to recreate.

Tricky factor: 10

with a kilt.

this pic is so bad its so good

Wonderful weekend! Wonderful couple!

A Friday Night in Kits

2010-05-17T09:31:00.000-07:00

I unexpectedly had Friday night off from work, so I met up with Rox and Kim for a nice dinner with a great view. And yes, it was worth the wait.

this is when we freaked out over the hour long wait.

First Beach Day of the Summer

2010-05-13T15:42:00.000-07:00

the new whale bones sculpture frames OUR log on sunset beach

Excited to claim our space.

Happy to see the older gent who throughly enjoys life sunbathing all day, everyday, in a string thong.

Sorry, no photo.

took the kite out for a spin

no ocean swimming yet. but soon, very soon.